US3157941A

US3157941A - Device for inserting tabs into identification bracelets

Info

Publication number: US3157941A
Application number: US192412A
Authority: US
Inventors: James C White
Original assignee: Propper Manufacturing Co Inc
Current assignee: Propper Manufacturing Co Inc
Priority date: 1962-05-04
Filing date: 1962-05-04
Publication date: 1964-11-24
Anticipated expiration: 1981-11-24

Description

Nov. 24, 1964 J, c, w rrE 3,157,941

DEVICE FOR INSERTING TABS INTO IDENTIFICATION BRACELETS Filed May 4. 1962 FIG. 4

FIG. 6. I9

"illulnrlllllllll I76 BY Z JAMES C. WHlTE I MW ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent 3,157,941 DEVICE FQR HNSERTENG TABS MTG IDENTHFICATIQN ERACELETS James C. White, Bronx, N.Y., assignor to Propper Marne factoring Company, inc Long island (Iity, N.Y., a corporation of New Yuri;

Filed May 4, 1962, Ser. No. 192,412 3 Claims. (till. 29-241) This invention relates generally to an identification bracelet and, more particularly, to a device for inserting identification tabs into bands to form identification bracelets.

One important aspect of the present invention relates to a device with which tabs having identification indicia may be readily inserted into transparent plastic tubular bands to form identification bracelets.

Due to the nature of such tubular bands, a difiicult problem is posed with respect to the ready insertion of the identification tabs therein. It is accordingly an important aim and object of the present invention to provide a simplified and improved device for the insertion of tabs bearing identification indicia into companion tubular bands to form identification bracelets which may be secured about an appendage of a patient. Pursuant to this object of the present invention there is provided an inserting device formed complementary to such tabs for facilitating the insertion of the tabs into the bands.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a generally improved device for inserting identification tabs into tubular bands which is simple and convenient, and which may be accomplished by the relatively unskilled with minimum requirements for manual dexterity.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an identification bracelet inserting components showing in plan a tubular continuous ribbon for forming the bands, and an inserting device and strip of tabs in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a tab being secured on the inserting device;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the inserting device and attached tab being inserted into a tubular band;

FIG. 4 is a perspective View showing the withdrawal of the inserting device from the band with the identification tab being retained therewithin;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 66 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an assembled identification bracelet positioned about a wearers wrist; and

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing another embodiment of inserting device.

Referring to the drawings, the identification bracelet 21 is formed from a tubular ribbon 3 of transparent plastic material, for example, a flexible vinyl material. Because of the stretchability of this material there is secured in the ribbon a strip of relatively nonstretchable material 2, for example, a suitable transparent plastic flexible material. Thus the strip 2 inhibits the longitudinal stretchability of the resultant bracelet. The tubular ribbon 3 is formed from initially flat continuous strip material to which strip material 2 is secured and such ribbon is formed into tubular form with secured together overlapping marginal strips la and 1c, the latter having strip 2 secured thereto (FIG. 5 At regular longitudinal intervals, tubular ribbon 3 is transversely notched as indicated at 711 and 7b thereby dividing said ribbon into readily detachable band segments 4. The aligned notches 7a and 7b are formed by removing generally triangular sections from opposite sides 8 and 9 of the tubular ribbon 3. Upon severing of the detachable band segments 4 from the tubular ribbon 3, bands 28 are formed. It will be apparent that band segments 4 are of a length sufficient to encircle the wrist or ankle of the wearer with some excess length. Laterally adjacent to notches 7a and 7b are circular punched holes 9 which are dimensioned to receive rivets 10, the latter functioning to secure the bands in bracelet defining relation. The band segments 4 are conveniently supplied and dispensed from a roll 13 shown in FIG. 1. Accordingly, end lengths of the band segments are successively severed from the roll 13 along severance lines 4a to form bands 28, the latter being flexible and transparent and substantially nonstretchable by virtue of strips 2 disposed in the segments.

The identification bracelet 21 further includes a tab 14 formed from thin cardboard stock, or the like, the tab 14 being adapted to have patient identification indicia 14c suitably delineated thereon as by writing or printing. The tabs 14 may be supplied in strip form with the tabs being severable along the score lines 14a. The tabs 14 are dimensioned to be received in the band segments 4 and as shown in FIG. 1, the tabs have a central longitudinal line 14b imprinted thereon for convenience in applying the identification indicia 14c. The tabs 14 are of generally rectangular configuration and the leading end 18 is of arcuate contour in order to facilitate the operation of inserting the tabs into the band segments. The tabs 14 are preferably supplied in two different lengths, the longer of which is adapted for use in connection with adult patients, with the shorter one being adapted for children and infant bracelets.

Pursuant to the present invention the tabs 14 are inserted in the bands 28 by means of the inserting device 15 formed in accordance with the present invention. The inserting device 15 is of generally rectangular configuration and of a length somewhat greater than the length of the tabs 14 adapted for insertion in the bands thereby. The inserting device of the illustrated embodiment is of stamped metallic construction and is formed from relatively thin sheet material. The inserting device 15 has a rounded leading end 17 Which corresponds to the rounded edge 18 of tabs 14. Struck out from the body of the inserting device is a tang or clip 19 which is substantially parallel to the plane of the inserting device and is slightly laterally spaced therefrom to receive the trailing end 14d of tab 14 thereunder, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The inserting device forwardly of the clip 19 is substantially coextensive with a companion tab 14. In practice, a strip 14 bearing identification data 140 is releasably secured in position on a companion inserting device 15, as shown in FIG. 2, by engaging the trailing end 14d of the tab 14 under the clip 19 thereby to register the tab with the inserting device and conditioning the tab for insertion into the open end of a band 28, as shown in FIG. 3. The

inserting device and releasably secured tab are inserted into the open end of a band 28, as shown in FIG. 3, in order to position the leading end of such assembly adjacent to the opposite end of the band 28, as shown in FIG. 4. Thereafter the leading end of the tab 14 is conveniently grasped by engaging the fingers at the corresponding end of the band and with the tab so grasped the inserting device is retracted from the band by virtue of the releasable connection between the inserting device and tab leaving the tab enclosed in the band and spaced from the ends thereof. It will be understood that the inserting device is readily detachable from the tab in a Withdrawing direc tion and that a small amount of pressure applied on the 3 tab through the band is sufiicient to retain the tab in position during the inserting device withdrawal operation. The trailing end of the device is provided with a suitable fitting 20 for tying connection with an end length of string.

The clip or tang U is formed of very thin stock and extends only slightly above the plane of the tab 14 so as not to impede the ready insertion of the inserting device and tab assembly into the open end of the band 28. After the band has an identification tab inserted therein, in the manner aforedescribed, a rivet is inserted in opening 9 of the band. The opposite ends of the band are overlapped, as shown in FIG. 7, and the inserting end of the band is punched to provide a rivet hole to register with hole 9 of the band. The rivet is projected through the registered rivet openings and is upset in the usual manner by means of a conventional riveting tool in order to form the bracelet 21, which is shown in FIG. 7, as secured to a patients wrist. It will be understood that the bracelet 21 cannot be removed from the patients wrist without destroying the same as by unfastening the band at the rivet connection since the band is substantially longitudinally in extensible. Thus the inserting device 15 provides a convenient and simple means for the facile insertion of the tab into the tubular open ended band. The identification tab will be permanently secured to a patients limb until such time as the band is deliberately removed from the patient which will be readily apparent by inspecting the bracelet. The inserting devices may be supplied in different lengths corresponding to the lengths of tabs to be used in conjunction therewith and in this regard it will be apparent that the clip 19 of the inserting device will be spaced from the end 17, a distance substantially corresponding to the length of a tab to be used in conjunction therewith.

Referring to FIG. 8, there is disclosed another embodiment 15a of an inserting device which is adapted to be used with tabs of two different sizes. More particularly, clip 19a is adapted to be used in conjunction with a relatively long tab which will extend from said clip to the rounded end 17:: whereas the clip 1% is adapted to be used for a shorter tab which extends substantially from such clip to the rounded end 17b of the inserting device. Thus the inserting device 15a may be used for inserting two different size tabs into a band dispensing with the need for two separate inserting devices which would normally be required for two different lengths of tabs. It should be noted that the head of the rivet is positioned against the wearers limb with the opposite end of the rivet being upset over the overlapped ends of the band to secure the band in bracelet-defining relation. If desired, the excess tubular ribbon which is severed from the band for sizing the same to the patient is cut on a bias in order to facilitate the insertion of tab 14 therein. The tab 14 hearing the identification indicia is preferably inserted into the band 28 after the same has been cut to the desired length for the patient although this sequence of steps is optional. If desired, after the bracelet is secured on the patients limb, any excess band length beyond the rivet may be trimmed.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood A that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. An inserting device for inserting an identification tab into a band of an identification bracelet, comprising a relatively stiff longitudinally extending member having a rounded forward end substantially corresponding to the contour of one end of the tab and a clip spaced from said forward end a distance substantially corresponding to the length of the tab, said clip having a first portion laterally spaced from the plane of said member a distance substantially corresponding to the thickness of a single tab and opening towards said forward end to releasably secure said tab and a second portion which extends between and connects the first portion of the clip to the surface of the said member, said second portion of the clip being an abutment for applying pushing force to said tab during insertion thereof into said bracelet.

2. An inserting device for inserting an identification tab into a band of an identification bracelet, comprising a relatively stilt longitudinally extending member having a rounded forward end substantially corresponding to the contour of one end of the tab and a clip spaced from said forward end a distance substantially corresponding to the length of the tab, said clip having a first portion laterally spaced from the plane of said member a distance substantially corresponding to the thickness of a single tab and opening towards said forward end to releasably secure said tab, and a second portion which extends between and connects the first portion of the clip to the surface of said member, said second portion of the clip being an abutment for applying pushing force to said tab during insertion thereof into said bracelet, said clip being constituted by a struck-up portion of said member.

3. An inserting device for inserting an identification tab into a band of an identification bracelet, comprising a relatively stiff longitudinally extending member having a rounded forward end substantially corresponding to the contour of one end of the tab and a clip spaced from said forward end a distance substantially corresponding to the length of the tab, said clip having a first portion laterally spaced from the plane of said member a distance substantially corresponding to the thickness of a single tab and opening towards said forward end to releasably secure said tab, and a second portion which extends between and connects the first portion of the clip to the surface of said member, said second portion of the clip being an abutment for applying pushing force to said tab during insertion thereof into said bracelet, said first portion of the clip being of elongated configuration and extending parallel to the plane of said member along a central axis thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,021,338 Struve Nov. 19, 1935 2,723,061 Liebowitz Nov. 8, 1955 2,875,928 Cohen Mar. 3, 1959 3,001,270 Friedman Sept. 26, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 410,133 Germany Feb. 23, 1925

Claims

1. AN INSERTING DEVICE FOR INSERTING AN IDENTIFICATION TAB INTO A BAND OF AN IDENTIFICATION BRACELET, COMPRISING A RELATIVELY STIFF LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING MEMBER HAVING A ROUNDED FORWARD END SUBSTANTIALLY CORRESPONDING TO THE CONTOUR OF ONE END OF THE TAB AND A CLIP SPACED FROM SAID FORWARD END A DISTANCE SUBSTANTIALLY CORRESPONDING TO THE LENGTH OF THE TAB, SAID CLIP HAVING A FIRST PORTION LATERALLY SPACED FROM THE PLANE OF SAID MEMBER A DISTANCE SUBSTANTIALLY CORRESPONDING TO THE THICKNESS OF A SINGLE TAB AND OPENING TOWARDS SAID FORWARD END TO RELESABLY SECURE SAID TAB AND A SECOND PORTION WHICH EXTENDS BETWEEN AND CONNECTS THE FIRST PORTION OF THE CLIP TO THE SURFACE OF THE SAID MEMBER, SAID SECOND PORTION OF THE CLIP BEING AN ABUTMENT FOR APPLYING PUSHING FORCE TO SAID TAB DURING INSERTION THEREOF INTO SAID BRACELET.